WINSFORD, playing on their own pitch for the first time in two months, moved clear of the Premier Division drop zone after completing a double over West Didsbury & Chorlton.

Blues were glad to feel the comfort of home too, for they have won every match there since Rob Byrne replaced Eddy Haslam as manager.

They established a two-goal lead by the break, an advantage they protected thanks to an outstanding display by captain Michael Jones in central defence.

The hosts thought they had broken through inside five minutes when Dominic Marie guided Sam Marshall’s cross under goalkeeper Ben Simpson, only for the on-loan front man to be ruled offside.

At the other end, custodian Nathan Beckett kept out Richard Greave and then Tre Baldwin-Willis when West Didsbury attacked.

Marie, borrowed back by Blues after sealing a switch to Skrill Premier FC Halifax Town following a successful trial, looped a header into the net midway through the first half.

Winsford doubled their advantage three minutes before half time, Lee Constantine converting from the penalty spot after Richard Botchey had pushed Sam Marshall to the floor.

Without banned David Gbemie and injured front man Dennis Sherriff, Winsford resisted their guests’ pressure at the start of the second half.

Beckett blocked another Baldwin-Willis attempt, while James Rothwell was unlucky to have a third goal for the home team chalked off after steering in Jake Hibbs’ low cross.

West Didsbury fluffed their best chance with a quarter of an hour left, Thomas Walsh blazing over when left free in front of goal.

Byrne sent on a familiar face for the closing stages in the form of striker Andy Hurst, and he almost added to his six-goal tally for the term when exploiting hesitation in the visitors’ defence before forcing Simpson to save smartly.

Winsford Beckett (GK), Clarke, Liddle, Michael Jones, Jon Jones, Hibbs, Marshall, Rothwell, Noon (Hurst 82), Marie, Constantine (Banda 76) Sub not used Bush Goals Marie 21, Constantine 42 (pen) Booked Marshall

Didsbury Simpson (GK), Callum Jones, Botchey, Graham Kay, Schofield (Woodcock 60), Potts, Settle, Summers, Baldwin-Willis (Walsh 68), Greave, Matthew Kay (Mitten 60) Subs not used Newbrook (GK), Baird Booked Botchey, Graham Kay, Willis

Referee Tom Parsons (Ashton-under-Lyne)
Attendance 101